Boiler-feeder.



No. 742,294. PATENTED 001*. 27, 1903. H. J. DAVIS & P. G. AULT.

BOILER FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented October 27, 1903;

P TENTv OFFICE.

HENRY JACKSON VDAVIS'AND PLAYEAIR eoonwm AULT, on BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNORS TO DAVIS UToMATIo BOILER FEED COMPANY, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION OF ALABAMA.

BOILER-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forme at of Letters rate nit No. 742,294, dated. October 27, 1903.

Application filcdPebrnary 21, 1903; Serial llo. 144,500. (-No model.) 7

To all whom it mcty concern.-

Be it known that we, HENRY J AoKsoN D vIs and PLAYFAIR Goonwm AULT, citizens of the United States, residing at Birmingham,

'in the county of Jefferson and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boiler-Feeders,of which the following is a specification.

Our present invention pertains to improve.

to ments in steam-boiler feeders, the construetion and advantages of which will be herein-' after set forth, reference being had to the an nexed drawings, wherein-- p Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a sectional view of a por-. tion of the valve mechanism; Fig. 3, a similar view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a top plan View of the valve proper; Fig. 5, a similarview of the valve-carrier; and Figs. 6,- 2o 7, and 8 diagrammatic views showing different positions of the valve and its relation to the various ports or openings in the valvecasing. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical section of the piston-valve casing. I

The object of our invention is to provide a simple and efficient feeder by which water may be fed to the boiler bygravity, the apparatus coming automatically into operation as the water-level in the boiler falls below a predetermined point.

Referring to the drawings, A denotes the boiler,into which depends the water-discharge pipe B, which is surrounded by the steampipe 0, a shield D being placed around the two pipes and extending down below the normal water-line, as does also the water-pipe'B. The shield is provided with a series of open.- ings near its upper end to admit steam into .the same and permit the steam to pass up into the steam-pipe 0 when the water-line falls below the mouth of said pipe. The shield also serves to prevent the foam or scum from entering the steam-pipe. It is not necessary that the steam and water pipes should be tapped into the boiler at the same point; but, as will be seen, only one tapping is required in the arrangement shown.

E denotes the watertank or reservoir, the lower end of which is connected to a water-sup- 5o ply pipe F. A suitable shut-0E valve G is 10- charge pipe B, hereinbefore referred to.

. serves to prevent the water from being forced I cated in-said pipe,and a check-valve l'Lclosing against the outflow of water,is likewise mount ed in the pipe F. A branch pipe I is-connected to pipe F and extends downwardly and communicates with a pipe J, which in turn is connected to the lower end of a float-chamber K. A suitable valve Lis mounted in the pipe J, and by proper adjustment thereof the float-chamber and the tank Emay be caused to fill simultaneously.

g A pipe M is connected to the pipes I and J and is likewise connected to the water-dis- A check-valve N is located in the pipe M and 5 up through pipes B and M into the pipe I or J. A suitable shut-off valve 0 is likewise located in the pipe M.

A pipe or tube'P is placed within thetank or reservoir E, the upper end of the pipe being open at a point near the top of the tank, while the lower end of said pipe communicates with a shell or casing Q,which surmounts and is connected to the-float-chamber K. This shell or casing Q opens directly into the float-chamber through ports or passages formed in the washer or guide-block R,mounted in the upper end of the float-chamber.

A float S is placed within the chamber K and properly positioned therein by means of a stem T, extending from its lower end and passing through a ported washer or guidebloek U. To the upper end of the float is attached an arm V, which in turn is pivotally connected to a lever W. Said lever is 8 detachably secured to the end of an arm or stem a, which has formed at its outer extremity a valve-carrier b. This valve-carrier is cylindrical in form and works within a steamchest or valve-casing c. g 0

As will be seen upon reference 'to Fig. 2, the wall of the chest or casing adjacent to the rear face of the valve-carrier b'is provided with a shoulder d, against which the valve-' carrier works, said carrier being free from contact with the walls of the casing except at this particular point. The carrier is cut away on one side, and in said cut-away portion is mounted a valve e, the outer face of which bears directly against the wall of the steam- 1o:

chest and makes a close joint therewith. The valve is fitted closely in the carrier, so that any movement which is. given to the carrier is imparted to the valve. Upon reference to Figs. 4, 6, 7, and 8 it will be noted that the valve is cruciform in its general contour and is provided with a groove or channel f, which extends nearly across one member thereof. There is also a second groove or channel 9, formed in one of the arms of the valve, which groove leads into the main cross groove or channel f, the two grooves forming, in efiect, a T-shaped channel. Steam is admitted to the valve-casing through a pipe h, which extends into the upper end of the shield D. Thus it will be seen that steam at boilerpressure is always present in the pipe h, and consequently in the valve-casing. A second pipe t leads from the steam-chest c to a valvecasingj, in which is mounted a piston-valve It. This valve is arranged so as to open a port Z, leading into the tank or reservoir E and to a steam-pipe m, which is connected to pipe 0, or when the piston-valve is drawn to the opposite position from that shown in Fig. 1 the port Z is connected directly to a vent n. The pipe t'communicates with a port 0, formed in the valve shell or casing, which port is in the form of a slot of dimensions substantially the same as those of the groove or channelf, formed in the valve 6. An exhaust-portp is also formed in the shell or casing, while a third port q is likewise formed therein, and to this latter port may be connected a whistle or other suitable alarm, for a purpose which will presently appear. As the float moves up and down it oscillates the valve-carrierb, and consequently shifts the position of the valve with relation to the ports just referred to. \Vith the ports in the positions shown in Fig. 6 the groove or channelfwill be in line with the port or opening 0, while the laterally-extend ing channel 9 will be in direct communication with the exhaust-port p. This position of the ports is also illustrated in Fig. 3. When, however, the water (as will be hereinafter set forth) has passed out of the tank and the float-chamber, the position of the valve will be changed, by reason of the downward movement of the float, to that illustrated in Fig. 7. In this position it will be noted that the cross member of the valve has moved to one side of the elongated slot or opening 0, and as a consequence steam in the casing 0 may pass directly through the port 0 into the pipe t' and thence into the piston-valve casing j, forcing the valve to the right or to the opposite position from that shown in Fig. 1. At the same time the valve e will pass to the exhaust-port and close the same. The position of the valve shown in Fig. 8 is an extreme or unusual one and is designed to open the alarm-port when the float has collapsed and permitted the lever W to drop down to an unusual extent.

A pipe 9' may be directly connected to the vent-pipe n and brought down into a position in line with the boiler, where it may be readily seen by the attendant. This comes into operation when for any reason the pistonvalve k fails to move back to the left, thereby permitting the tank E to fill continuously. The water will then be discharged through the pipe 9", and the attendant will at once perceive that the piston-valve is not properly working and that the apparatus is out of order in some particular.

The operation of this device is as follows: Water enters pipe F past the cheek-valve II and fills the tank E and also the float-chamber K. At such time, however, the valve 76 is forced to the right by reason of the fact that the piston-head at the left is larger than that at the right, so that the tank and the float-chamber are vented directly to the atmosphere through opening Z and pipe a. When the tank is full, the float will have moved up, and the valve 6 will be positioned as shown in Figs. 3 and 6that is, the exhaust'port will be open, so that the steam may pass from the piston-valve casingj, through the pipe t', and thence through port 0 out through the valve to the eXhaust-portp. By reason of the fact that there is a small passage 9 and a relatively small exhaust-port p for the same the piston-valve 7c is moved back against a steam-cushion, so that the valve will be prevented from chattering. The steam in pipe m of course will force the valve to the left or to the position shown in Fig. 1. When the piston-valve reaches the position just referred to, it will be seen that the steam-pressure will be exerted upon the water Within the tank E and also upon the water in the float-chamber K by reason of the communication between the same through the pipe P. The water will then flow down by gravity through pipes I, J, M, and B into the boiler. Immediately the float is lowered the valve will be shifted, so as to again admit steam into the pipe 2', and consequently into the pistonvalve chamber or casing j back of the relatively large piston-valve it.

As a consequence the piston-valve will be moved to the right and the steam-pressure cutoff from tank E. The tank and floatchamber will again fill, and the same cycle of operations will be repeated so long as the water-level in the boiler is below a predetermined point or so long as it fails to seal the lower end of the steam-pipe (J. The check-valve I-I, located in the water-supply pipe F, will prevent the water from being forced back thereth'rough by reason of the steam-pressure which is exerted upon the Water Within the tank E when said tank is being emptied. The check-valve N also prevents the boiler-pressure from forcing the water up through pipe B into the apparatus when the steam-pressure is not counterbalanced by reason of the pipe on being cut off from the tank by the piston-valve.

In the construction shown the tank is placed directly over the float-chamber and commupipe P, as heretofore stated. The tank, how-,.

nication between them is made through the ever, may be placed on a separate stand and at any elevation, provided outlet therefrom is maintained in proper relation to the floatchamber. The tank may also be placed horizontally at any elevation above the middle of the float-chamber, in which case communication between the tank and the float-chamber may be made by a pipe tapped into the tank near the top thereof and connected to the float-chamber at or near its upper end.

It is to be noted that with a valve made in the form shown and described there is but slight surface contact, and therefore less friction, than in other constructions. It will also be observed that it takes but a relatively small movement to change the position of the valve with reference to the ports.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aboiler; a feedwater tank in communication with said boiler; a float-chamber also in communication with said boiler and likewise in, connection with the tank; a float mounted in said float-chamber; a valve-chest; a valve-carrier mounted in said chest and connected to the float and operated thereby; a valve mounted in said carrier and controlling suitable ports formed in the valve-chest means for supplying steam to said valve-chest; and a piston-valve operating to vent the tank or to admit steam-pressure thereto, substantially as set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a boiler; a watertank in communication with said boiler; a float-chamber likewise in communication with said boiler and in communication with the upper portion of the tank; a float mounted in said float-chamber; a valve chest or casing; a valve-carrier working in said chest or casing and connected to the float and operated thereby; a cruciform valve mounted upon said carrier and working over an elongated port and a relatively small exhaustport; means for admitting steam to said valve chest or casing; a-piston-valve operating to vent the tank or to admit steam-pressure thereto; and suitable connections between said piston-valve and the elongated port substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a water-tank; a piston-valve for venting said tank and alternately admitting steam thereto; and a valve for controlling the admission of steam to said piston-valve, the controlling-valve havinga T-shaped channel formed in the face thereof and working across an elongated opening which is in direct communication with the piston-valve, and also over a small exhaust port or opening, substantially as set forth.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a float, a valve-" carrier'connected to said float; a cruciform valve mounted upon said carrier, said valve having a T-shaped groove or channel formed in the face thereof; and a valve chest or casing for said carrier and valve, said casing having an elongated port designed to register with the cross-channel in the valve and likewise provided with a small exhaust-port to register with the other portion of the groove or channel when said valve is brought to a position to exhaust the piston-valve or the like which it controls. I

5. In combination with a valve chest or casing, means for admitting steam thereto; a valve-carrier rotatably mounted within said chest or casing; a cruciform valve mounted upon said carrier and having grooves or channels f, g formed therein; and means for oscillating said carrier tobring the valve carried thereby into operative relation to ports 0, 10

- formed in the valve-casing.

6. In combination with a valve chestv or casing, means for admitting steam thereto; an oscillating valve-carrier mounted within said chest or casing; acruciform valve mounted upon said carrier, said valve having channels or grooves f, g, formed in the face thereof; and means for oscillating the carrier and bringing the valve into position to control the passage of steam through ports 0, p and q formed in the valve chest or casing.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a boiler; a feedwater tank; a float-chamber; means for admitting water to said tank and chamber; connections intermediate-said tank and chamber leading to the water-space of the boiler; a float mounted in the float-chamber; a valve chest or casing located adjacent to said chamber; a valve-carrier working in said casing; connections intermediate saidcarrier and the float for oscillating the carrier; a steam-pipe leading from said casing to the steam-space of the boiler; a cruciform valve mounted upon said carrier, said valve having grooves or channels f, 9 formed therein; a pipe extending from the casing in line with an elongated opening or port 0 formed therein; a pistonvalve casing in communication with the tank and likewise in communication with the pipe leading from the elongatedport; a pistonvalve working in said casing; a vent-pipe; and a steam-pipe communicating with the piston-valve casing, said pipes being brought alternately into communication with the tank by the movement of the piston-valve, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. HENRY J AOKSON DAVIS.

PLAYFAIR GOODWIN AUL'l. Witnesses:

H. W. COFFIN, WM. W. FRENCH. 

